This Can't Be Home -- [Lotto&Violet]

[Violet G. Monroe]

The city was crumbling, to say the least. Buildings falling apart before the eyes of those that were alive. It was total destruction, to say the least, and the sight of such a dead city saddened Violet. How could something so amazing become this in only a few weeks time? Papers were scattered along the roads, dancing with the wind. Trash cans were knocked over, and dead bodies littered the entire city. It was sickening, and Violet put her hand on a tree as she leaned over to vomit.

Once the episode was over, she stood up straight and looked at Lotto. "Sorry." She said, offering a weak smile. Blackjack sat beside her, taking in the sight with his large, gorgeous brown eyes. Violet scratched behind his ears. "Let's get this over with." She sighed and moved forward. She had a blade in her hand, prepared. She didn't want to risk leaving Lotto and Blackjack behind. She knew that even as an infected creature, Blackjack wouldn't attack her, and if Lotto tried, Blackjack would surely try to kill him. It was a fact, and it was proven by her canine's loyalty now.

A store with broken windows promised supplies, as most of them had been left behind. Vi didn't bother with the doors, but instead, stepped through one of the shattered windows. Glass crunched beneath her black boots, and she cursed under her breath, but nothing came at her. "I think it's safe." She said, as she continued to climb through the opening. Immediately, she went to the back of the store. The glass that should have kept the drinks stored inside was broken as well. "Someone was in a hurry." She mumbled. She then began grabbing bottled water and stuffing them into her hand-made bag. Then, she walked over to one of the shelves, and grabbed a few protein bars and even some candy. After all, who didn't get a sweet tooth every now and again?

After most of the vital supplies were gathered, she grabbed a box of gauze and ace bandages, and even some disinfectant. A bottle of hand sanitizer also found it's way into her clutches. She looked at Lotto. "Anything in particular you need before we head to the weapons store?" She asked as she studied the back of a poptart box before putting it back on the shelf, knowing she wouldn't be able to stomach it. She'd never been able to stomach poptarts. Even as a child. She was about ready to leave when lighter fluid and matches caught her eye. She grabbed them and made room for them in her bag before looking back at Lotto.

That's when she heard it. Shuffling coming from the back of the store. She looked around frantically. "Where's Blackjack?" She asked. When she didn't see him, she ran to the back of the store to find him. She breathed a sigh of relief before laughing. Her dog had tore into a large bag of dogfood, and was eating it greedily. She regretted not being able to carry the large bag with her, but instead took a small bowl from her bag to put some food inside for her dog. It wasn't much, but most stores carried dogfood, and it would be plentiful since most of the people alive didn't have dogs with them anymore. Their companions had left them behind, and that basically made room for Blackjack to have an all you can eat buffet.

After eating his fill, he made his way outside where he drank greedily from a small puddle of water. Violet shook her head. He was something else. A strange one indeed. But, Violet could never love him any less.

words; 645

[Leroy "Lotto" King]

[/i]note card out before the test. His grip tightened on his bat, he saw a few of them wondering inside shops that had closed doors, probably the humans locked themselves in, turned, and then forgot how to let themselves out. Lucky for him and Vi. But luck was pretty thin around here. He felt bad when Violet got sick, he wanted to do something to help, but couldn't find the right motion, so he stood still and kept a watch for anything creeping up.

They walked awhile more, Lotto's anxiety levels peaking as he was sure any humans would in an instant like this. Walking through enemy lines. His eyes shooting in every direction and yet still managing to walk in a straight line. His heart was pounding, they walked into a shop with shattered glass, Lotto thought of how he'd never been here, he never even recalled seeing it in his 26 years of life. One of those things you take for granted, he guessed. They filed in and he took in the view. Broken glass, messy isles. He sighed, watching Blackjack just pad right in. The broken glass concerned him, but he held his tongue, he was a smart dog, he would know to avoid it.

Lotto looked around, starving, he grabbed a granola bar from the boxed candy they kept under the register. They wanted a dollar forty for this? Pirates. He scoffed and tore the wrapped open, getting nauseous almost instantly. The smell of granola and peanut butter creeping up his nose almost made lose whatever bile was left in there. But overcoming the sensation, he took a bit. Only three, and then set it down on the counter, he defiantly needed to ease back into eating, he tried to think of the last thing he ate... maybe some berries? He didn't even know what kind they were he just picked them off some bush, and ate them. They were quite sour.

He climbed over the counter and examined the cigarette selection. No one bothered to keep it locked up, just a clerk to id people, who was no longer here. He picked a pack of the expensive stuff and stuck it in his pocket, he grabbed a lighter for later also. He might as well pick up the habit again, he didn't figure he'd live long enough to get any kind of cancer. He turned back to Violet, he'd need to get a bag like hers... except more masculine, then he could start hauling things around, be better prepared and organized, "I'm good for now," He looked back at the granola bar as they were exiting, he wondered how much weight he'd loss, starving the death, he may want more later, I'll grab it on the way out of here, he thought, which surprised himself, Lotto was never an optimistic guy. Next stop. Weapons. He was sure they could load up some kind of gun bag in there with everything they needed.


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[Violet G. Monroe]

When Lotto stated he was fine for the moment, Violet shrugged her shoulders. Those who needed something would take, and she knew that stressing now over someone else's well-being was not in her best interest. She - like all other humans - was in a weak state of mind because of the sudden outbreak, and she wasn't about to make her mind any less stable than it already was. That wouldn't be smart to do. This she knew well. Plus, she already stressed over the safety of her canine.

She stepped through the window once more and looked around. Nothing seemed to even occupy the ally ways anymore. That was surprising. Back when Portland was alive in glory, there were people constantly wandering the allies. Some of the homeless, some of them just looking for an escape from their stressful life at home. However, that "stressful life" probably seemed like heaven in this hell. Violet took a deep breath. While the smell of burning bodies and other ignighted objects filtered through the air, she was just happy to be able to smell it from her right mind. If she didn't enjoy the little things now, she'd regret it later. Still, those little things were things that other people were probably still taking for granted because of how greedy they were.

Violet began to walk down the sidewalk, choosing her steps carefully, as she refused to make a sound since she was out in the open. She looked behind her to check for Lotto and Blackjack before continuing on her designated path. Then, she saw the weapons shop, and smiled. Her pace picked up and she began to jog. She pushed the doors open but froze in her tracks. They littered the aisles, still devouring other humans. She began to take a few steps back, slowly. There were about five in the store, and she was lucky they hadn't spotted her. Especially since she'd practically busted into the artillary shop.

She let the door click softly shut before turning to Lotto. "What do we do now?" She asked, obvious distress in her voice. If there was one thing she'd been looking forward to, it was the weapons shop. More than anything, she wanted to live, and her survival instincts had fully kicked in, to say the least. Now, it seemed as if she'd reached a dead end. While the maze ended in the same spot, it didn't stop her from being blocked by easy access. With nothing but a baseball bat for Lotto, and pocket knives for herself, they weren't ready to take on five infected. One or two, maybe. Five? It seemed impossible. Even if Blackjack jumped in, that would still leave two more to attack. They wouldn't even be interested in the canine. Only the humans that accompanied him.

It was almost as if a trap had been set, and they'd been snagged by the rope, and now hung from the trees, awaiting their impending doom. Without the weapons from the inside, their chances were slimmer. However, if they could just get to them, their odds would climb. Maybe even skyrocket, if they were that lucky.

words; 541

[Leroy "Lotto" King]

[/color] he said those words solemnly, knowing that really was their only option. How many were there? Five. He thought he counted, but it was just a glimpse. He thought of luring them out, allowing only one to come out at a time, both Violet and he could work on killing it and then the next on would be allowed to come out. That was sick. He knew it was, but it might be the only way, "we could lure them out, allowing only one at a time, disable it, and then allow the next out..." Disable... that would allow for an easy conscious. He took a step back from the door, and prepared to play in the batting cages.


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[Violet G. Monroe]

Lotto spoke and Violet's stomach twisted at the idea. These were once people. Where had the world gone so wrong? Vi nodded slowly and opened the door. She placed her index finger and thumb between her lips and whistled. While three remained focused on their carcass, two others looked up. One, once a woman. Her face now contorted into something horrid. Twisted with a thirst for blood and flesh. While she all her limbs intact, she still looked gruesome. Her clothes were torn, and her side ripped open, revealing dead muscle tissue. The other was also a woman. She looked young. Around her teenage years. Too bad her first life had ended so early. Little did the ravenous girl know, her second life was close to being ended as well.

She was missing an arm, and part of her jaw. Dead skin hung where the body had once been. Blood dripped from her mouth, and her dark hair was tangled, messy, and crusty with the blood of those she'd fed on. Her dead eyes seemed to bore into Violet. There were no pupils, just large, black eyes that were empty of any emotion. The only thing that proved that this girl had once been part of humanity was the fact that she was a person. Just not the type meant for society. Violet wasn't surprised that the younger of the two creatures started running first, her single arm stretched forward, blood spilling from what was left of her mouth, snarling at the woman who had disturbed her feeding.

Violet moved behind the glass of the door as the girl cleared the artillery. She then closed the door and used a pipe to bar the handle so the others couldn't get out while they were dealing with this one. The teenager obviously had no correct mind, because instead of going after Violet, whom she was clearly closer to, the creature turned to Lotto. The other woman was now banging persistently on the glass of the door, but to no avail. These windows were made bulletproof for a damn good reason.

Violet was anxious when the girl got too close to Lotto. While the man had the baseball bat in his hand, she still worried. Her biggest fear was being left alone to deal with these things, and having to kill Lotto when he turned. The thought made her shudder, but she knew the thing didn't stand a chance against the man. She looked at Blackjack, who was now bristling, tearing at the girl's legs to keep him from getting to Lotto. He was growling, and viciously tearing at the grey flesh of the infected teen. However, she seemed to feel nothing, and while she was hindered because of Blackjack holding her back, she still seemed so focused. She decided to turn away from Lotto and opened the door, standing in the doorway. When the woman who was trapped inside charged her, she simply took the blade in her hand and shoved it through her skull. She fell to the ground, and Violet jumped back, breathing heavily to keep herself from vomiting again.

words; 527
occ; Sorry. My muse is running a tad low. /:

[Leroy "Lotto" King]

[/i] He thought and took a deep breath in the stance he thought appropriate for smashing a face. His focus was distracted when Blackjacks deep growls, and mouth locked onto the pursuing target. Bless that dog, he thought as the once young woman didn't even turn to examine the reason she wasn't moving as fast as she was a moment ago. They have a one track mind it saw Lotto and didn't remember Violet, it saw Lotto and didn't notice the dog on its ankle. Lotto would be the last thing it ever saw. When in range, batters up. The face cracked like the sound of a ball exiting the stadium for good. The sound even echoed down the empty streets.

The metal bat struck along the jaw line, and the momentum launched the head up and at a about 110 degree angle. The neck snapped, and the face became unrecognizable as the body fell to the ground. She was still, and Lotto's mouth was dry, he looked over to Violet who was destroying the next one, when she was finished, he nodded. Again. They would clear out the shop and get what they needed. He thought how fortunate he was to find some one, who like himself was a Hunter as well as a Gatherer. "You alright?" he asked, his chest heaving in preparation for the next lured execution.

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[Violet G. Monroe]

Violet cringed at the sound of snapping bones, but composed herself quickly. Blackjack was standing on top of the younger looking creature, snarling at it's face, teeth bared, hair bristling. He was making sure it wasn't getting back up. She was glad he hadn't noticed that she'd let a second one out, or he would have gone beserk. She shook her head and whistled and Blackjack came to sit by her side, glaring through the glass at the other infected. Then, something hit Violet. A humorous way to get the creatures out. She quickly put the thought away. This was no time to start going insane.

When Lotto spoke, her head snapped up to him, and a determined look glazed her hazel eyes as she removed the pipe once more and opened the door. She used the sharp end of her blade to tap the metal bars on the door. It caught all three infected's attention and Violet smirked. She stepped behind the door again, letting Lotto take on this one. It was a hefty male. His skull busted open, blood leaking from the wound. A few chunks of his legs were missing, as well as the majority of his face. He was the most repulsive yet! Violet took no time in letting out the second, which Blackjack immediately pounced on. Once her canine had him the disgusting thing pinned, she stabbed it repeatedly through the eye before looking back up at Lotto. Both of the males that had been released were large. If it wasn't for Blackjack, she wouldn't have been able to handle it.

However, her companion soon moved to the other creature that was limping towards Lotto slowly. It seemed almost as if it had more common sense than the others. Almost as if it knew to keep it's distance, and that made Violet nervous. However, her attention was soon diverted when she felt the dead hands clasp her neck. She screamed as she and the creature hit the concrete. She pushed with all her strength on the creature to keep it from biting her. Her eyes were closed, head turned, and she tried to keep her mouth closed, despite the instinct to scream. She didn't want to risk becoming one of them. Instead, she whimpered. But, when the large male - who was obviously a man of vigorous work-outs at one point - mananged to get his mouth closer to her skin, she couldn't stop herself from screaming. "LOTTO!" Her voice was practically a screech.

Blackjack was on it instant, tearing flesh with more violence than he'd used on the others. It almost seemed as if her dog had turned completely feral, and Violet knew that he was only trying to protect her. Even if it meant his life. Finally, the creature released her for an instant to swat at Blackjack who jumped out of the way and bit into the infected man's hand, ripping off everything from the wrist to the finger tips. Violet struggled as the creature turned it's attention back to her. She stabbed it in the neck, but because the man was trying so desperately to get to her throat, she missed her target. She withdrew the knife before it was slung into the road. Shit shit shit! She panicked to herself and closed her eyes, trying to focus, but keep from being bitten at the same time.

words; 582

[Leroy "Lotto" King]

[/i] So he waited what felt years for this appearing to be cautious creature came at him, it was absorb though, these things couldn't think outside of the moment.... right? So it had to be impossible that he learned from the previous one, and impossible that he even saw or knew what happened. His eyes danced back to Violet, she released another one, this one seemed to be just as big as the one taking his time getting to Lotto.

What the hell was going on here? Are they growing in there? Were they leveling up? But of course, Violet seemed to have it under control, and Blackjack was assisting in the tearing into process. So Lotto's eyes focused on the one who was now entering Lotto's range. It was all timing, he had to hit it with the right part of the bat, the creatures eyes didn't even glance down to his former roommate of the artillery. Just as Lotto was preparing to swing was when Violet's scream pierce the air, and Lotto's mind refocused back on her, that thing was on her they have fallen to the floor, fuck. Heart racing, he only had a couple seconds to make the decision. One last glance at the one within grasp range with him told him this tree would take a couple more chops than the average. That was time he didn't have.

He lowered the bat and quickly took a couple steps back, out of reach from this thing, and stepped around back to where Violet was. She managed to push him off, and Blackjack was ripping into him vigorously. But this was also a tree and it would take three to put him down. With its back turned Lotto took a sort of running jump swing at the back of it's head. Tightening his lats with the swing as to not pull out his back. An average human would be dead after all the assaults this former being had been through, and yet he still stood. Lotto cracked him again, aiming for the back of the neck. He'd seen in movies when people fell down the stairs, they get his on the back of the neck and die, so why wasn't this thing doing just that.

An onslaught of a few more furious strikes did the trick, Lotto's blood was pumping, his eyes quickly examined Violet, and under his deep inhales for oxygen he prayed she was alright, their eyes met, but at that same moment he felt hands on him, it was a grip so strong he was sure it was about to puncture his skin. He ripped his arm out of the grip, nearly losing balance with how fast and hard he was falling foreword, and spun so fast he was going to be dizzy.

Oh so this monster would wait until Lotto had his back turned to pick up the pace. Lotto swung the bat in an upward swing, from left hip to right shoulder. But just like his twin muscle man, this thing wasn't going to fall easily. That was when Lotto remembered, the .44 magnum he had picked up a while ago... a life time ago, with all this stress he had forgotten it was even there, he threw the bat aside, and took a few steps back as he pulled the gun out of the back of his waist line. Both hands on the grip, and a finger caressed the trigger before pulling it. This was the second time he had fired it. Precocked from the last emergency. He knew there would be consequences for firing in the city, the noise would attract those wandering around. He turned to Violet, "Let's get rid of the rest of them the easy way," He cocked it, and looked towards the door, but eyes went back to Violet, did he almost lose her because of his foolish idea of luring them out one by one? Why didn't he take the lead at first and go in there guns blazing. She had survived all this time only to be killed by his foolish idea, he wouldn't let it happen again. That guilt would put a bullet in his own head. He lowered the gun, and brought his right hand to his arm where the creature had grabbed him, his touch was so cold, it wouldn't be anything but bruising, Lotto examined it with his eyes, instant bruising. He was lucky this time.


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[Violet G. Monroe]

It was on her, then it was gone. She felt the weight lift immediately, and heard the body fall beside her. She saw Lotto swing the bat again, hitting the creature hard, but that still didn't kill it. A third hit cause it to lay in stillness, dead eyes facing Violet. She caught her breath and then staggered to her feet weakily, just as Lotto was grabbed by the other infected creature. Violet thought he'd killed it. She began to panic, looking around for her blade, which must have fallen further than she thought. Then, there was a gunshot. Violet jumped and quickly looked around for who had taken the shot. Then, the large creature's body dropped to the asphalt like a ragdoll, and Violet stared at the man weilding the gun.

Wait... He'd had a gun?! Violet gripped her stomach suddenly and turned to vomit as tears spilled from her eyes. It wasn't the fact that Lotto had a gun, it was the fact that she'd almost died, and he hadn't thought of it. It was a show of how strong panic really was. It blocked out the memory of what could be really useful. His gun. At the same time, she'd panicked, too. That was something that was going to get them both killed. Violet's mind began to scream at her, and she vomited again.

I'm not made for this. We're not made for this. What kind of fucking "God" would leave us to deal with this bullshit? Her head began to ache now, and she pressed on one of her temples with her forefinger, covering most of her face with her hand. Finally, her breathing and heart rate returned normal, and she ran her danity hand through her brown, shoulder-length curls. Lotto has said something. But, what had it been? Violet looked up at him as he lowered the gun. Quickly, her mind began assessing the situation. Gun fire. In the movies, it attracted more of the infected. Would it be the same in reality as well? She looked at the artillery and was hesitant to take her hand off of the trash can that was keeping her on her feet. She was afraid that if she tried to walk, she'd collapse.

However, she could feel her strength return. She stood up straight and took a few deep breaths before walking to the door, holding it open as Blackjack trotted inside and she waited for Lotto. She'd already spotted her weapon hanging on the wall at the far back. Sheethed in black velvet with gold trip. The handle looked intricate in detail, though Violet couldn't see it from this distance. She looked back to Lotto and smiled slightly. "Let's hurry up and get the hell out of here."

words; 481

[Leroy "Lotto" King]

[/i] It seemed like years ago since she freed him from his imprisioned state, and only a few minutes before an infected creature stumbled upon the spot he would have been if it hadn't been for this woman and her dog. He'd been so stupid to forget about the gun, it must have slipped at some point, he had to have felt the metal rubbing against his skin as they climbed down the cliff onto I5. But it never registered. It never clicked. They could both be laying here dying, and then Lotto would have thought, hey, I have a gun, it didn't save us, but it can put us out of our misery.

He shook the chilling idea, and it vanished as quickly as it appeared, Violet stood, and he back away, giving her the room to breathe, he watched her with his eyes low, he felt like a child would had severely disappointed his elder. "I didn't remember-" He started but stopped, there were no words to follow that, he couldn't explain why it was that he didn't think of the weapon to save them until it was nearly too late. But Violet kicked in then, she gave him a small smile, and the relief was released into his heart. He cocked the gun as opened the door, the others would be quicker to pounce know. He associated them with animals, no offence to Blackjack of course, (he didn't classify the canines as animals) and if animals could learn, so could these things, and he was betting on it, no time for sloppy mistakes, just precision.

Both hands on the handle, his finger pulled the trigger, he closed one eye for good aim, just to a sure the most efficient clearing possible, there were only three left. Nasty sorts. Skin peeled, he assumed from the initial fever he remembered watching his brother suffer. "It's so hot Leroy," Tommy had said as he ripped his hands to his chest, "it's so hot," By touch Lotto believed him, he'd never known of a fever so high. Didn't think anyone could survive one, and sure enough, Tommy didn't.

Bang. The sound rang in his ears.

One fell. Bang. Two down. Bang. The last one standing, was no more. He rose the gun, and let it cool before slipping it down his back again. He would never forget again. His mind went back to the bat again, he'd left it laying outside the shop. He would have to get it before they left, he was thinking about naming it Old Faithful, but wouldn't ever refer to it out loud as that. He looked to Violet, he eyes had found something, he followed her gaze and smile, the girl had expensive taste. Lotto strode over to the ammo section and his eyes quickly skimmed for the proper ammo they would be needing. Luckily he'd been in gun shops before. They kept the keys to the sliding glass cases right under the register. Bingo.


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[Violet G. Monroe]

Lotto walked ahead. Just as Violet stepped inside, three gunshots were fired. Violet sprinted to Lotto's side to see that three more now lay dead. How hadn't she seen them? She put her hand on his shoulder, and smiled. Then, she moved over the bodies, Blackjack at her heels as usual, and walked to the back. The handle of the katana had hieroglyphics carved into it. Symbols that she knew had meaning, though she wasn't sure what. Because of her natural curiosity, she'd have to find the book on the weapon, just to know what it meant. All it took was glance on the shelf right below where the sword was mounted, and grabbed the book on the katana. It was a thin book, so it fit easily into her bag. She tucked it away before turning her hazel eyes back to the weapon.

She removed the sword from it's place on the wall, and pulled it from the sheath. The silver blade hissed as it was removed. It was sharp. Both ends were, and the tip was almost so thin and sharp that it disappeared in the air. She moved it around in her hands, letting it become an extension of her arm. When she was satisfied with how it felt in her grasp, she placed it back in the velvet holster, and placed the strap over her body so the sword was on her back. Then, she moved to the pistol section and used the handle of the blade from her left boot to break the glass. She casted a smile at Lotto before she reached inside and grabbed her two favorite. Peacemakers. She grabbed a belt and placed it around her waist, putting the pistols in the respected pouches, and filling each thin slot with bullets before moving over to stand beside Lotto.

She watched him choose his weapons, and sat on the counter before looking up at him. "It's okay about the gun, by the way. I understand that you forgot. In a state of panic, we as humans don't think straight." She said, casting her eyes back down to the floor. A part of her had become attached to this man, despite how short they'd known each other. She wanted nothing more than to stay close to him now. She'd saved his life, and he'd saved hers. She looked up at him and smiled again. Some would find it odd that she could smile during times like these, but she'd argue that it only made things a little easier. To just smile, and enjoy all of the smaller things. Something crossed her mind, and she decided to speak up.

"Sorry about getting sick a lot lately. It was a tad overwhelming that this had once be my home... Then, a near death experience... Stressful for the body, and that's how my body handles stress." She said with a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of her neck as if the fact embarrassed her. "And thank you for saving me. I'd be dead without you." She said, not looking at him now. She hated the fact that she'd nearly had them both killed because she'd held the door open to watch the creature move towards Lotto. It had been a stupid mistake. She was just glad he'd thought of the gun in time.

words; 531

[Leroy "Lotto" King]

[/color] He muttered and returned to the bagging process, it was a good thing he never worked at a grocery store or a stocking job, stacking stuff was not his forte.

She continued but he thought the sentiments were over, was she apologizing? For what! He dropped what he was doing and faced her, "You have nothing to apologize for," he spoke softly, and placed his hands gently on her knees. She looked away as she continued, and he softly shook his head. He wasn't used to being a Gentle Lotto, but it was nice, to be able to speak kindly to someone, "I'd be dead with out you," he clarified. He reflected for a moment, thinking of all of the good things that ever rolled into his life, and nothing had ever been in the form of a person, it was mostly money, and the things that money had brought him. Was it possible that the only good person to ever enter his life, was the last one left on earth? He removed his hands gently and a small smile was cracking to the left, but he hid it by turning in that direction. Oh the irony of it all.


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[Violet G. Monroe]

Violet sighed. "Lotto, it's fine. I promise." She soothed. She hated how it took him so long to meet her eyes, but when he did, her smile grew broader. When he spoke again, she pressed his lips into a thin line but said nothing more. She listened to his last comment, and opened her mouth to speak, but decided it was best not to. When he moved his hands, Violet jumped down from the counter and smirked. "Would you like some help?" She asked kindly, watching Blackjack trot up to lick Lotto's hand and nip at it playfully.

"He's really taking a liking to you." She said. There was almost a heavy warmth in her eyes and smile now, though it didn't quite touch her features like it should have. She patted Blackjack's head, and her canine began to wag his tail happily, panting in pleasure. She opened her bag to put a handful of dog food on the floor at her booted feet. Blackjack ate it slowly, almost as if he were savoring the taste before their next journey. Violet coughed into her fist before looking back at Lotto who still seemed to be having a tad bit of trouble with his bagging. She stood up straight and crossed her arms before looking around the store. "It's amazing that all these things are still here. Just goes to show you how many people survived, and how many people were smart enough to actually get weapons." She said, shaking her head in disapproval. Was society really so stupid? Didn't the will to survive tell those who did make it that they'd need to protect themselves? Apparently, the world was filled with more idiots than Violet had guessed.

She looked down at Blackjack, who was taking the last bite of his food. Once he was done, he trotted off to sit by the door and started outside. Blackjack whined, and it faded into a low growl that seemed to rise from his chest. Violet looked outside the window, her smile fading quickly, and her arms dropping hopelessly at her side. "Awe, come on!" She groaned in slight horror. "Today is just not our day." She mumbled under her breath, not sure if Lotto had heard or not. She walked to the door, resting her right hand on Blackjack's head. She crouched down, and her companion whined, placing his head on her upper thighs. She petted him gently and gave him a sad smile. "Look at the bright side, boy. At least we have some help this time. We aren't alone anymore, and neither is he." She said, a genuine smile returning to her features until she glanced outside. This day seemed to get worse and worse. What could possibly come next?

words; 486

[Leroy "Lotto" King]

[/i]to this woman. He watched her help stack the new items in an orderly fashion, and looked down to Blackjack who was playfully licking his hand, and nipping. Lotto crouched down to eye level with the dog, and rubbed his head as he would enjoy someone else rubbing his own. When Lotto and Blackjack seemed satisfied he stood back up and thanked Violet for helping. "That makes two of us," he spoke gently smiling down to the dog. Lotto hoisted the bag over his shoulder, much better.

He leaned against the counter, enjoying watching Violet lay out food for Blackjack and the dog taking his time, savoring each bite. Lotto wished his appetite would return, but the thought of consuming food after so long, was not the best 'food for thought'. He watched Violet cross over to the window, she muttered something but he couldn't hear what it was. He crossed his arms and looked about the shop that had just become recently raided. He tried not to look over to the three corpses he had taken out with ease. Who were they? What were they doing here?

He thought they might have just been random people off the street the owner had let in during the initial outbreak, trying to be a good samartian, but it seemed not many people were immune, someone was unlucky in this batch. Turned and killed the rest, maybe, or they were all sick. He had seen people who were totally eaten on his way out of this hell hole. So little was left that they didn't even rise... that he saw of course. One less dead guy he'd have to worry about chasing them later.

Violet opened the door, and Lotto stood back up and followed her to it, he thought he heard her say something to Blackjack along the lines of them not being alone anymore. That was for damn sure. Blackjack and Lotto had one thing in common, and that would be an undying loyalty. "Let's go find your friend," he said as he strode across the room to stand by her side, and look out to see what they were about to face. Shit. Not what he wanted to see. There were some slower ones staggering towards them. The one's closest appeared weak and starved, he knew they were the dangerous ones. The ones who would exert their last bit of energy for that final chance to feed. But there were some quicker one's just a little beyond them. Either way this evening was a bit more dangerous than this afternoon. "Go around back, or fight through 'em?"


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[Violet G. Monroe]

Violet yanked the door closed and used a nearby shotgun to put in the handles. When Lotto suggested the back door, Violet gave him a doubtful look. She sprinted to the back and looked out the door. It seemed to open to an alley, but other than that, the area was clear. She walked back to the front, where Blackjack had rose to his paws, but was hunched down, hackles raised, snarling at the glass, and even charging it when some of the infected reached the door and started clawing at the glass. Their moans were almost inaudible through the glass. However, the more that moved closed, the louder the moans grew.

"The back is clear. I think we'd better play it on the safe side." She said, tugging at her canine's black collar. He immediately stopped snarling to follow Violet. She was glad that she'd been a dog trainer. The simpliest things got Blackjack's attention, and he responded well to what she wanted. While her business hadn't brough in as much money as she would have liked, it had been an enjoyable job with moderate income. Nothing to complain about. She had still been able to afford nice things and her apartment with ease.

She moved to the backdoor, checking it's status once more before opening it slowly. It creaked slightly, and she practically slitered into the alley. She could see some limping past the alley, paying no mind to what it could hold between the walls. It was almost as if they already had a destination, and she assumed they'd picked up on the commotion at the front of the store and were headed that way. Then, something ran past the alleyway. Since they were too far into the strip of darkness to make out features, all Violet caught was a white shit, jeans, and what looked to be sneakers. Rose... She thought immediately. She began to move to the edge of the alleyway, only to see that it was a girl with brown hair instead of bleached blond. She was hopping into a nearby vehicle, and the tires squealed on the pavement as she sped away. Bitch. Violet thought to herself.

She turned to look at Lotto, and her recently hardened expression faded into something softer. At least he wasn't leaving her behind. She couldn't explain it, but some sort of attachment had grow between them two of them. She didn't understand why she felt the need to stay close to him. Perhaps it was because he'd saved her? Then again, it could go deeper than that. However, Violet had never truly cared for someone, so if that's what she was feeling, she wouldn't know it, nor understand it. All she knew was that it made her feel warm. It made her feel like she had a chance to escape all of this, as long as Lotto and Blackjack escaped with her. She smiled at them and waited for Lotto to come to her side before they continued out of the city.

words; 524
ooc; Once they're out of the city, where should they go?